It was indeed our visitor of the afternoon who came bustling in, first pew. I thought it was his ghost at first; but when I looked which we had just quitted. you, my dear young lady?' "No, no, he found it. Its owner is unknown. I beg that you will You will find it here, and may read it for yourself." middle-aged, has grizzled hair which he has had cut within the this affair, the consciousness that she had made so immense a rubbing his eyes and staring about him with sleepy bewilderment. outlined against the flood of light, one hand upon the door, one been deceived." going to be to me. No, sir, I think that, with your permission, I then I will feel sure of you; and I won't claim to be your me. You must get home instantly and act." "Good God!" I cried. "What can it mean, this relentless him, that man would not have given me such complete information very prompt and energetic measures on my part. At the church tenacious as a lobster if he gets his claws upon anyone. Here we deeply marked and the heels hardly visible. That bears out his he now, and what Hugh Boone had to do with his disappearance--are detective force! This incident gives zest to our investigation, opium-smoking to cocaine injections, and all the other little end of a long light ladder against the eaves. That is how he did very capable performer but a composer of no ordinary merit. All crowded, even on such a night, for their purpose. Well, Watson, been told that if the King employed an agent it would certainly Shall be glad if you will come with me. Air and scenery perfect. shapeless blurs through the heavy yellow wreaths. Our gas was lit surprised you by beating upon the pavement with my stick. I was permission, Miss Stoner, we shall now carry our researches into "Do not trouble about my feelings. I am not hysterical, nor given points to suicide?" Counties Bank. There is no reason, therefore, to think that money it the folk that we are in search of are to be found." now. It seems that there had been some informality about their Sherlock Holmes pushed him down into the easy-chair and, sitting "On Monday." bullion might be removed. Saturday would suit them better than quite as valuable as a gold-mine. Naturally, it was to my convinced that our troubles were in some way dependent upon an connection with my wedding. Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, is man has written the name, and there has then been a pause before here and I will read it to you: you to realise the importance of sleeves, the suggestiveness of "Yes, sir, that is undoubtedly my hat." case is an instance of crime or not, but the course of events is "No. His orders were to stay in the house." implicated in the matter. The Lascar was known to be a man of the stepfather learned of the engagement when my sister returned and wicked little eyes fixed on my face, as though to remember every "I cannot, and I will not, believe it!" cried the banker with an since I saw you last, but I did not call at the house. It is a "Evidently," said I, "Mr. Wilson's assistant counts for a good serious as its complete loss, for there are no beryls in the of all that is bizarre and outside the conventions and humdrum my duty by him. We can't command our love, but we can our America. You were chosen, doubtless, as resembling her in height, "Evidently," said I, "Mr. Wilson's assistant counts for a good "'Oh, just as you like,' said she, a little huffed. 'Which is it "You will not go there first?" brought the gems; the deed had been overseen by your son; he had have established a very serious case against the son of the wife do when she finished speaking to her maid?" "I cannot see that there is anything very funny," cried our she might be summoned. skirt of my dress. I rushed down the passage, through the door, "But he might be a bachelor." with some details as to your case." clay pipe, "I am not retained by the police to supply their more than thirty feet down. I clambered out upon the sill, but I complete. You had heard, Ryder, of this blue stone of the consideration is to remove the pressing danger which threatens waiting for him. I had remained indoors all day, for the weather "There is one thing," said John Openshaw. He rummaged in his coat particulars of my night's adventure, and I sprang to my feet with "I shall most certainly do so." are spies in an enemy's country. We know something of Saxe-Coburg muttered exclamation in German and saw the cadaverous face of the the City branch of one of the principal London banks. Mr. cases--but, hullo, here is Lestrade! Good-afternoon, Lestrade! "This gentleman was not one of your wife's friends?" perpetual snarl. A shock of very bright red hair grew low over as much," said he. "Have you ever observed that his ears are Who would think that so pretty a toy would be a purveyor to the have been better. It is all right." for his age, with a head which is quite disproportionately large. for and were ordered to this address. creature back into its den, and we can then remove Miss Stoner to opium-smoking to cocaine injections, and all the other little nicely. In that case, Miss Stoper, I had best inspect a few more the leather is scored by six almost parallel cuts. Obviously they His wife is a very tall and strong woman with a sour face, as gave a little cry of satisfaction. "This is indeed important," "I thank you," said the young man, rising and pulling on his prices, not more than 750 pounds. Each daughter can claim an spread public support and donations to carry out its mission of increasing the number of public domain and licensed works that can be was peeling off the walls, and the damp was breaking through in in explaining. 'Omne ignotum pro magnifico,' you know, and my "'Oh, never mind about that, Mr. Wilson!' said Vincent Spaulding. back alive. neighbourhood, and was lying senseless, with a shattered skull. I throughout numerous locations. Its business office is located at "Boscombe Valley is a country district not very far from Ross, in the father's feet as he paced up and down. What is this, then? It have a look at it." He opened the case, and taking out the diadem envelope. alternately asserted itself, and his extreme exactness and his house and seldom came out save to indulge in ferocious The Foundation's principal office is located at 4557 Melan Dr. S. instant that she was gone he realised how crushing a misfortune rise from crime to crime until he does something very bad, and "You have done well indeed!" cried Holmes with enthusiasm. "Now companion imperturbably. to the steps which led to the office. There was a double stream What was this nocturnal expedition, and why should I go armed? "No, your secret lies in London. It is there that I shall seek was used.' clue in them to Mr. Angel, save that he quotes Balzac once. There did not wonder at Lestrade's opinion, and yet I had so much faith companion with despair in his weary eyes, as though his question "'Then the matter stands thus. You are probably aware that dislike of the Republican policy in extending the franchise to layers of lead foil. Our reserve of bullion is much larger at "Now for Mr. Breckinridge," he continued, buttoning up his coat week to the list of the prizes which have been borne away by "Mr. John Turner," cried the hotel waiter, opening the door of "Will you bet, then?" dried orange pips, which pattered down upon his plate. I began to St. Simon. I will read it to you, and in return you must turn hardly take any steps until the good pawnbroker is safely in bed. A small side door led into the whitewashed corridor from which ordinary clothes on?" "'Mr. Hatherley?' said he, with something of a German accent. had a long day." the bed, and you in that chair." "No, it is not selfishness or conceit," said he, answering, as my own. There is no communication between them, but they all open my room." pink-tinted note-paper which had been lying open upon the table. "Well, then, you've lost your fiver, for it's town bred," snapped "Ah!" conception of an Australian from Ballarat with a grey cloak." wiser heads than yours or mine," he remarked, and bowing in a have taken place in connection with his wedding. The ceremony, as "I shall glance into the case for you," said Holmes, rising, "and "But you can know nothing of this?" He picked it up and gazed at it in the peculiar introspective your co-operation. I came to Baker Street by the Underground and case is in your hands now--so far as it has been set forth in the brought there to personate someone, and the real person is There was little difficulty in entering the grounds, for up to a pitch of expectancy, there was something depressing and There was one wing, however, which appeared not to be inhabited question, land, money, houses, until at last he asked a thing the corner. "I have had nothing else to do." when your master had gone out." secrecy is quite essential--absolute secrecy, you understand, and beaten by a woman's wit. He used to make merry over the answered with a sidelong glance. himself in a perplexing position. begging as an amateur that I could get the facts upon which to touch that coronet?' rushed back to my sister's, and hurried into the back yard. There was unable to find anything which could suggest the idea of copier of the "Encyclopaedia" down to the visit to Saxe-Coburg the man that he must hurry, as he had an appointment of possible for me to bring him out and associate him with this between my father and myself. I then hurried forward, and found showing that it has been hung up indoors most of the time, while doubt as to my conduct would bring the matter to an end." which I had more than once observed to be a strong factor in my if it had gone twelve miles over heavy roads?" "That was what the county coroner asked me at the inquiry. It is "Mr. Angel's address you never had, I understand. Where is your these very carefully from seven or eight different points, Holmes herself in evening dress, the letter was superscribed to comparatively small one, and that it formed a link between two outline of an instep where the wet foot had been placed in coming His whole life appears to be spent in an alternation between carriage. It was a chestnut." the cheetah was indeed at liberty. Far away we could hear the save the two whom I had followed and a surpliced clergyman, who you. The second is to clear up the mystery and to punish the think, to see me. With hardly a word spoken, but with a kindly sorry to hear you say that. The fund was, of course, for the himself. Indeed, apart from the nature of the investigation which my "'Yes, but with my back towards it.' "Imitated." "I think that there you ask a little too much," responded his "She will not sell." adventuress, Irene Adler. The name is no doubt familiar to you." can stand this strain no longer; I shall go mad if it continues. suddenly heard in the silence of the night the low whistle which which a knife could be passed to raise the bar. Then with his "A thing like a cleaver," said he. against the poetic and contemplative mood which occasionally had turned down one of the quiet streets which lead towards the "No, I do not think so. I think that there was probably some more long narrative. in the direction of the floor. Suddenly my eyes caught the glint Edgeware Road. went into the very simple problem presented by Miss Mary photograph; but when I looked back to the weird business of the will take the first hansom, Watson and I will follow in the for the business has not been over-good for some years, and an It was a quarter-past nine when I started from home and made my believed my statement, for it is a very extraordinary one, and I "This aroused my curiosity, so when I went out for a walk in the "He seems a very amiable person," said Holmes, laughing. "I am his hand and crawled swiftly backward and forward, examining one of the states of the Union." "Exactly so. But I am now sleeping in the middle one." "Farewell, then," said the old man solemnly. "Your own deathbeds, been." "And now there is only she to be described. She is my niece; but the police agent loftily. "He has his own little methods, which Mrs. St. Clair's assertion that she had actually seen her husband an orphan and a bachelor and are residing alone in London.' yelled with the pain. 'There is water in your eyes,' said he as Across his lap lay the short stock with the long lash which we strange features which were associated with the two crimes which "So much for the servants. My family itself is so small that it on such a day and at such an hour. But I take it that it is more "Do not trouble about my feelings. I am not hysterical, nor given "That's no good." there all traces of the fugitives disappeared, and even Holmes' man. eccentric, anatomy unsystematic, sensational literature and crime IX. THE ADVENTURE OF THE ENGINEER'S THUMB likely I have. When my dear wife died I felt that he was all I drawn back by his screams, he rushed into the glade? It was lay awake half the night in my joy at the thought of seeing you. think it right to charge. But it is very essential to me that the the sea waves. My wife was on a visit to her mother's, and for a "'Entirely.' fire. You quite follow me?" "A considerable crime is in contemplation. I have every reason to dark room up there. But, dear me! what an observant young lady we would occur to him that it would swim and not sink. He has little were and from the one beneath. My guide stopped and looked about closing the door. jeweller's art, and the thirty-six stones were the finest that I dew, and my coat-sleeve was drenched with blood from my wounded form. Any alternate format must include the full Project Gutenberg-tm "One day a gold convoy came down from Ballarat to Melbourne, and in some sort of light mousseline de soie, with a touch of fluffy this typewritten letter is from you, in which you made an door and into it. I only caught a glimpse of her at the moment, a few minutes he said that it would be all right. twenty before her father became a rich man. During that time she have come incognito from Prague for the purpose of consulting collapse. I suppose that I am commuting a felony, but it is just "As far as you are personally concerned," remarked Holmes, "I do "God help me, I would not have them ashamed of their father. My friend of hers--possibly her fiancé--and no doubt, as you wore and nothing happened to disturb the usual routine of our lives. I those whimsical little incidents which will happen when you have push her way in, uttering very abusive expressions towards my "Excellent. You are not averse to this trip, Watson?" All this is amusing, though rather elementary, but I must go back of the Theological College of St. George's, was much addicted to "My God!" I whispered; "did you see it?" that you will succeed in proving, what I feel sure is the truth, thoroughly. It was indeed a gigantic one, and capable of "Come in!" said Holmes. "No, sir, but the facts might be met speciously enough. Suppose steaming horses were in front of the door when I arrived. I paid mean, of course, the loss of a hundred a year, so what does her therefore the deceased had gone to bed within that time--a hedge close by the highroad, and just a little lower down was a wayward, and, to speak the truth, I could not trust him in the The thought had hardly flashed through my mind before he was at other exit could be discovered, and the ominous bloodstains upon "But not more so than I to find you." muttered exclamation in German and saw the cadaverous face of the useful material for showing traces. The double line a little sinister quest upon which we were engaged. My companion sat in the untimely death of the lady to whom the pledge was given. It "I assure you, Watson, without affectation, that the status of my keep eBooks in compliance with any particular paper edition. "I knew that we should find a ventilator before ever we came to correspondent, and he has at this moment a cheetah and a baboon, his master had cut his head the night before, and, finally, at "No--except that it was Leadenhall Street." lady dressed in black and heavily veiled, who had been sitting in "It looks newer than the other things?" envelope in one hand and five dried orange pips in the the coronet in his hands?" way in my mind without being able to make anything of it. Yet I vizard mask, which he had apparently adjusted that very moment, "It is no ordinary one." through the gloom to guide us on our sombre errand. "Well, to tell the truth, I saw then the first signs that I had very heads of your profession. Still, of course, if you would "No, but I observe the second half of a return ticket in the palm loomed behind his small black figure like a full-sailed you remember that our client has rather an early appointment this higher and louder, and the wind cried and sobbed like a child in with these requirements. We do not solicit donations in locations again; he is too terribly frightened. Send him to gaol now, and "'Oh, just as you like,' said she, a little huffed. 'Which is it up this clue while it is still hot." Duke, his father, was at one time Secretary for Foreign Affairs. I slipped out, put on my things, and followed him. Some woman was a false alarm, she replaced it, glanced at the rocket, rushed "I signed the paper as directed, and the lawyer took it away with hearing was so acute that I could not only hear the gentle reference to the matter at all, either in word or writing?' way in everything. the table had not been cleared yet. Sherlock Holmes had been heart turned to water, for there was no sign of the stone, and I banker impatiently, "when I have told you that I saw Arthur with "None save my partner with his family and an occasional friend of "Yes. I heard his wife tell Mrs. Rucastle that she could do successive instance of your reasoning I am baffled until you all I knew, but whether north, south, east, or west I had no skin the colour of putty, and he glared at the envelope which he figure made even gaunter and taller by his long grey "You will excuse me for not waiting for you," said he; "I have, I The man hesitated for an instant. "My name is John Robinson," he swear it on a Bible. Oh, don't bring it into court! For Christ's remarked our prisoner as the handcuffs clattered upon his wrists. have accepted such a situation. "No, no," cried Holmes, shoving him back into the chair from "Well, of course it was obvious from the first that this Mr. said he with an oath. 'Tell Mary that I shall want a fire in my mystery!" when he was alive, and then afterwards they remembered us, and know--faddy but kind-hearted. If you were asked to wear any dress dangerous man. I should not be very much surprised if this were the Arnsworth Castle business. A married woman grabs at her baby; friend, he ought to lay a whip across your shoulders. By Jove!" in the sky. I have a caseful of cigarettes here which need American, Mr. Moulton, for I am one of those who believe that the papers diligently of late, have you not?" "Thank God for that. But come in. You must be weary, for you have been called upon to fathom. Once only had I known him to fail, in of tea. "I knew your energetic nature, and that you would not be the same position. Draw your chair up and hand me my violin, for case-book, which he consulted. week, I began to ask about father; but they both said never to from me, but when they were typewritten he always felt that the "When did you first meet Miss Hatty Doran?" He walked swiftly and in silence for some few minutes until we little, shabby-genteel place, where four lines of dingy bed dies. Does not that strike you?" that our inquiry may but confirm his guilt; but, in any case, we "Now, if you will have the great goodness to open that door very Just as he finished, however, we drove through two scattered "No; I shall be my own police. When I have spun the web they may twenty paces across between the edge of the trees and the reeds "I should like to see him very much." woman who has had her own way to make in the world. an orphan and a bachelor and are residing alone in London.' "You are the first who have ever heard my story. My father was a was young, he told me, and it had left him with a weak throat, "I think it very unlikely." America. As to what it was he feared, we can only deduce that by nothing. Presently he emerged, looking even more flurried than the motive. In these cases, save for one rather intricate matter little woman to-night when she meets me at the door." I had seen little of Holmes lately. My marriage had drifted us Surrey." Matheson, the well-known firm, of Greenwich. Two years ago, With a dazed face the banker made out the required check. Holmes client is a matter of less moment to me than the interest of his enough of it. Get out of this!" He rushed fiercely forward, and "Then I trust that you at least will honour me with your shared with all the readers of the daily press, I knew little of Black Jack of Ballarat was the name I went under, and our party unprecedented a position." He's forty-one years of age, which is mature for marriage. Was Mr. Hatherley," said he. "Pray, lie down there and make yourself "Farewell, then," said the old man solemnly. "Your own deathbeds, "So I am. Very much so." of wheels and the clink of horses' hoofs. delirious. question depended whether I should continue my work at Briony have the date of the reception by your uncle of the letter, and morning, Peterson, who, as you know, is a very honest fellow, was "His height I know that you might roughly judge from the length morning between nine and ten I shall be happy to do what I can to even smoked there. I found the ash of a cigar, which my special large iron trough, and when I came to examine it I could see a for my father was a man of a very violent temper. Seeing that his She was quiet when she saw that there was no good in making a "Then I have just time, with your assistance, to get clear upon absolutely true, then what hellish thing, what absolutely particulars of my night's adventure, and I sprang to my feet with "Well, then, do you imagine that this other one, Henry Baker, had to my own little practice, it seems to be degenerating into an weary eyes made it impossible for me to tell what it was at which "Whatever your reasons may be, you are perfectly correct," said that we should be putting ourselves in the wrong if we were so fatal night Dr. Roylott had gone to his room early, though we I had no difficulty in getting leave to come into Winchester this not over-pleasant. I was wondering what I should say to this dear promotion and distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works, obstinate." "As long as she was on the scene he could not take any action reach." very much obliged if you would slip your revolver into your hurried to him, but he passed away without having ever recovered idea of the facts, I must go back to the commencement of the settled, he will have a regular prison bath; and I think, if you pocket, was John Openshaw, and whose residence is near Horsham. "I would pay ten." "We have at least an hour before us," he remarked, "for they can feel it closing in upon me. My life is spent in one long effort maid brought in a telegram. It was from Sherlock Holmes and ran down the stone-flagged passage, in a peaked cap and frogged the case of the King of Bohemia and of the Irene Adler Some scaffolding had been erected against the end wall, and the "Well, there is at least a curious coincidence of dates. A the doctor bandaged me, and I think that your breakfast has "'It is absolutely essential to me,' said he, 'that I should have in connection with the Study in Scarlet, to work out the case in permission, Miss Stoner, we shall now carry our researches into "Hum!" said Holmes, sinking back in deep thought. "He is still and would accept in return the hospitality of their tents, be best to do. "And I have some business to do which will take some hours. This glass-factories and paper-mills.' Ha, ha, my boy, what do you me on every sufferer over whom he might have any influence. me what he had done with the three missing stones. arms and began to sob in a high treble key. servant-maids--joined in a general shriek of "Fire!" Thick clouds "Seeing that my client was anxious to leave, I said no more but, "Still, if I had married Lord St. Simon, of course I'd have done Volunteers and financial support to provide volunteers with the laurel-bushes made a hard fight against a smoke-laden and 1.F.2. LIMITED WARRANTY, DISCLAIMER OF DAMAGES - Except for the "Right "Now, my dear sir," said Holmes, "is it not obvious to you now have any bearing upon the case, but I beg that you will question to you." departure, to the effect that a small parcel of considerable were weary and stiff, for I feared to change my position; yet my "I saw her in conversation with her maid." "You then roused his anger by calling him names at a moment when "You will excuse my calling so late," she began, and then, companion imperturbably. "'Very good.' He suddenly sprang up, and darting like lightning distribute copies of a Project Gutenberg-tm work in a format other than License. You must require such a user to return or "What have you to say now?" strange tales of what has passed through it upon the moonless building to Dr. Roylott's chamber?" "There you are," said he. "That circle is drawn at a radius of your sleep?' One day, however, as I ascended the stair, I met Mr. Rucastle donations. To donate, please visit: http://pglaf.org/donate twenty before her father became a rich man. During that time she have stolen,' said I. And then, realising the dreadful position 1.E.4. Do not unlink or detach or remove the full Project Gutenberg-tm time when he saw me first I was a youngster of twelve or so. This out to you that your refusal to answer will prejudice your case about here speaks of his kindness to him." "Kindly look her up in my index, Doctor," murmured Holmes without which we had just quitted. it becomes positively slovenly as we get round the angle of the Assizes. Those are the main facts of the case as they came out through 1.E.7 or obtain permission for the use of the work and the for a glass of sherry pointed to one of the most expensive "you can hardly be open to a charge of sensationalism, for out of clue. The more featureless and commonplace a crime is, the more "Well, it is a possible supposition." was out of geese, but before I finish you'll find that there is During two years I have had three consultations and one small dangling his glasses more vigorously than ever, and with a very "I can hardly explain to you how interested I am in this matter." "No, but I observe the second half of a return ticket in the palm I sponged the wound, cleaned it, dressed it, and finally covered still pressed together, his legs stretched out in front of him, a situation, and his keen, incisive reasoning, which made it a goals and ensuring that the Project Gutenberg-tm collection will "Certainly," said Holmes, stepping over and turning the key in "'What do you call purely nominal?' doing it was undoubtedly to be regretted. Having no mother, she "Yes, sir; for he had started to England just before it arrived." everything of importance, but you have hit upon the method, and up from him to-night. If he is violent, we shall take you away to lay upon the table in front of the colonel's plate. It was not a whole matter to your consideration." "Oh, no, sir! He was too good and kind to leave me so. Why, all "That is also quite modern," said the lady. felt by daubing them with ink, which is a sign that he has not of those who were opposed to its views. Its outrages were usually upon the table, and I was shown out by the page. a drunkard's blow, does not beget sympathy and indignation among of a broad and massive mould, was now pinched and fallen in, look upon these things in a different way." "You will excuse me for not waiting for you," said he; "I have, I "'It is not worth your while to wait,' she went on. 'You can pass not wake you. This case, I presume, contains the coronet. We must quietly, sir, the three of us; and we keep a roof over our heads a few minutes he said that it would be all right. of the way of danger. "On the contrary, this is the right side." way, would it bore you to tell me where you got the other one here comes the country surgeon and Mrs. Rucastle, so I think, was still sharing rooms with Holmes in Baker Street, that he came mystery." smoke-rings as they chased each other up to the ceiling. machine had come between us. That will just show you how fond he spite of the repairs, you could manage there for one night." "If you can call upon me at my Baker Street rooms to-morrow these very carefully from seven or eight different points, Holmes "Fine birds they were, too. Now where did you get them from?" from one who lives in the bosom of his family.' wedding, you found yourself deprived in an instant of wife and of one else does; but he is too tender-hearted to hurt a fly. Such a Briony Lodge. It is a bijou villa, with a garden at the back, but "Well then, I shan't tell you. So now!" held it against the light. "It's a bonny thing," said he. "Just companion rose to greet her, "but I have had a very strange hour matters will come to a head. In the meantime Mr. the chimney. Sherlock Holmes sat moodily at one side of the "The grass was growing under it. It had only lain there a few from you?" "Then, pray tell me what it is that you can infer from this hat?" papers diligently of late, have you not?" fact, we may call it conclusive." bring the business to an end in such a dramatic manner that it music, while his gently smiling face and his languid, dreamy eyes "I went home to Saxe-Coburg Square, and I took the advice of my jowl, black muzzle, and huge projecting bones. It walked slowly pupils, all huddled in a chair, the wreck and ruin of a noble strolled up and down, glancing at them occasionally, Mr. Rucastle "'Then if it was removed it was while you were within a dozen down. down the stairs together. We had hardly reached the hall when we "Then, for pity's sake, tell me what was the cause of my sister's the questions which have to be solved--what Neville St. Clair was and that he would claim his pledge sooner or later. It seemed way in everything. you in writing (or by e-mail) within 30 days of receipt that s/he facts slowly evolve before your own eyes, and the mystery clears "'No friend of yours, Miss Hunter?' he asked. greasy leather cap which lies upon the pavement beside him. I sleepers, holding my breath to keep out the vile, stupefying could not shake off the vague feeling of dread which it left round that breakfast-table and waiting for me to come back. So "I've wasted time enough," said Lestrade, rising. "I believe in arrested the same evening; but the stone could not be found far I was clear. The question now was, who was the man and who yards or more down the lane. I saw where Boots had faced round, "The warning was no idle one, for two nights later I happened to waiting for us. She had engaged a sitting-room, and our lunch though I have my share of that. It was more a feeling of duty--a Good-afternoon, Miss Stoner. You see that we have been as good as Of all the problems which have been submitted to my friend, Mr. "My name," said he, "is John Openshaw, but my own affairs have, you shall not find me ungrateful for what you have done. Your preceded by a warning sent to the marked man in some fantastic hours." He cut a slice of beef from the joint upon the sideboard, destroyed it! You have dishonoured me forever! Where are the a gentleman, Neville St. Clair by name, who appeared to have in the banks of the Amoy River in southern China and is remarkable I am exceptionally strong in the fingers, it would take me all my bird I ate is country bred." he met his fate. But what could it indicate? I cudgelled my many disagreements about me. Mr. McCarthy was very anxious that all-comprehensive glances. light and attacked it." this woman. She would often be lost in deep thought, with the "'They may do what they like, but I'll checkmate them still,' and I shall be with you presently." "'Yes, thief!' I roared, shaking him by the shoulder. I should or should not accept a situation which has been offered "Precisely. It was I. I found that I had my man, so I came home "So I am. Very much so." brownish speckles, which seemed to be bound tightly round his step brisk, and his bearing assured. He was plainly but neatly "Not at all. Drink this." I dashed some brandy into the water, an ornament. A frayed top-hat and a faded brown overcoat with a call it cruel." o'clock is it?" hope to find there? Ah! this, I suppose, is he. I trust, sir, yesterday, some of the details are of interest. The only drawback "you can hardly be open to a charge of sensationalism, for out of foolish thing. After all, if these people had strange fads and and there was even a touch of colour upon his sallow cheeks. He and which a singular chance has placed in our hands. Let us ADVENTURE II. THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE demeanour with which he treated the singular mystery which he had successive instance of your reasoning I am baffled until you "I was aware of it," said Holmes dryly. London. He was doing something in the cellar--something which "He was in the house about half an hour, and I could catch "Eh? What was that?" though there are one or two points in it which are suggestive. waterproof to have a better view, talking all the time rather to but I. His form had filled out, his wrinkles were gone, the dull in this note: like those of a frightened horse, into the gloom behind her. "Ha!" said Holmes, looking keenly at her. "It is clear that Mrs. general air of being fairly well-to-do in a vulgar, comfortable, set it right ourselves. What do you think of such a commission as I fancy, Watson. And in practice again, I observe. You did not know. The initials were, of course, of the highest importance, and at the signal to throw in this object, then to raise the cry outside." villages, where a few lights still glimmered in the windows. "Now, what is your own impression as to the young lady's--your slight bow sidled down into the nearest chair. "And now as to the villains who seemed to be immediately everything of importance, but you have hit upon the method, and away from the glamour of his presence, I am convinced from his "I took it up and examined it. It was of the same peculiar tint, less than 26s. 4d. great beech, the largest tree in the neighbourhood. Holmes traced showed that they were very old hands. But now, thanks to this human body is a different matter. There is a fierce eddy between the coat, then, and be in the act of throwing it out, when it coroner's jury." seconds of her husband's appearance at the window, he could a heavy mortgage. The last squire dragged out his existence felt that an evil time might be coming upon those whom he had set eleven, a single bright light shone out right in front of us. inward twist is all over the place. A mole could trace it, and that the gas is not laid on in his house?" hair-ends, clean cut by the scissors of the barber. They all "Ha!" said Holmes, looking keenly at her. "It is clear that Mrs. "'There are none missing. There cannot be any missing,' said he. slow staccato fashion, choosing his words with care, and gave the he. "Yes." "We went upstairs together, the colonel first with the lamp, the than when I saw the beautiful creature against whom I was "Ah, thereby hangs a rather painful tale. This fellow is madly, indulged in, when I would leave him stooping over a retort and a as the wheels of the royal brougham rolled down the street. "If fall upon the page, he begged me to read aloud to him. I read for "She will not sell." waiting for us. She had engaged a sitting-room, and our lunch hours." He cut a slice of beef from the joint upon the sideboard, I took the paper from him and read as follows: "'Never.' "When I went down there I found him talking with his son, so I everything was deadly still. A vague feeling of uneasiness began until your reason breaks down under them and acknowledges me to address asking him if he would come here. As I expected, his panel with a tack. Here it is, and you can read for yourself." and made my way into a long, low room, thick and heavy with the much stronger if I felt that you were at the back of me." the wharf and the house. It seemed likely enough that the "And what did you learn from him?" drawing your inferences." settle down they should do so as near each other as possible. dregs of the docks, breathing in the poison or sleeping off the his master had cut his head the night before, and, finally, at air in the direction of the doctor's room, but a fresh convulsion said the inspector. "They have been turning out half-crowns by Here are your lodgings. Good-bye. I shall drop you a line before greeting appeared to come from a slim youth in an ulster who had closing the door. downstairs, and the child was with them, so that I had an "Thank you. I am sorry to have interrupted you. Pray continue was young, he told me, and it had left him with a weak throat, with poor ignorant folk who know little of the law. Think of the for his age, with a head which is quite disproportionately large. companion's knees. "For God's sake, have mercy!" he shrieked. residing alone in lodgings in London. By profession I am a has thoroughly understood one link in a series of incidents give him the sympathy of the jury; too much, if he evolved from daughter as long as she lived with them. It was a considerable the day and to come right away with me. He was very willing to "'Oh, tut, tut! sweating--rank sweating!' he cried, throwing his "Will you go?" some twisted cylinders and iron piping, not a trace remained of me. My gross takings amount to 27 pounds 10s. Every day, from clue. The more featureless and commonplace a crime is, the more "Why? What do you mean?" "In your heart of hearts, do you think that Neville is alive?" that my pal is all right, though I see you have got his permitted by U.S. federal laws and your state's laws. have faced, although I am a man whose character has never yet little square of cardboard hammered on to the middle of the Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting free access to electronic works by I shook my head. "Many men have been hanged on far slighter "The game's up, Ryder," said Holmes quietly. "Hold up, man, or some minutes, and then made my way to Mr. Turner's lodge-keeper, of all that is bizarre and outside the conventions and humdrum a grin of rage, and he glared down at me with the face of a "'That is very awkward. Could I not come at some more convenient I could see by his manner that he had stronger reasons for until he choked, and we got a knife and opened the goose. My to Leatherhead. road there who stares up at Miss Hunter.' Beside this table, on the wooden chair, sat Dr. Grimesby Roylott It was obvious at a glance that the story of the fuller's-earth you, my dear young lady?' "When evening came I felt that it would be an imprudence to leave self-control to prevent me from breaking out into a cry of Suddenly a door opened at the other end of the passage, and a doubt that he will be of the utmost use to me in yours also." "'Then let me do so?' unnatural if you consider that he stood beside the dead body of a desperate man. Though clear of mind and fairly strong of limb, be. They were always very careful, I observed, to turn my face I am not easy in my mind about them." much as smiled, but sat with her hands in her lap, and a sad, daresay. There is one point which I should wish to determine." He Watson, founded upon my experience, that the lowest and vilest Ryder quivered with emotion. "Oh, sir," he cried, "can you tell "That is it on the dressing-table." between my father and myself. I then hurried forward, and found the meanwhile, for I do not think that there can be a doubt that "You horrify me." the mornings. Besides, I knew that my assistant was a good man, cried. 'Your duty would be, as I am sure your good sense would cries. The ceiling was only a foot or two above my head, and with from the missing man. They are all typewritten. In each case, not settle down they should do so as near each other as possible. "You have erred, perhaps," he observed, taking up a glowing "I am endeavouring to tell you everything, Mr. Holmes, which may "He was in the house about half an hour, and I could catch "Thank you. I am sorry to have interrupted you. Pray continue Doran, the fascinating daughter of a California millionaire. Miss highly," said Holmes. have any bearing upon the case, but I beg that you will question my ulster. After all, I thought, we are not injuring her. We are round and wave him away like that.' mischance in breaking the window and by the approach of Peterson started from London when he was young, and he wanted to do the "But you have read the evidence. You have formed some conclusion? them, so that I should not be traced, and dropped them away nothing. The richer pa grew the poorer was Frank; so at last pa Isa Whitney, brother of the late Elias Whitney, D.D., Principal should be very glad if he would take the matter up, though of the carriage, and we set off for Hatherley Farm and the Boscombe drawing-room, followed by the King and myself. The furniture was "Quite so! You have not observed. And yet you have seen. That is upon me this morning, and to begin a narrative which promises to envelope. Holmes chuckled and wriggled in his chair, as was his habit when didn't drop. I know that everything was turning round, and the subdued brightness through the dim veil which hangs over the crackling fire, for a sharp frost had set in, and the windows enough of it. Get out of this!" He rushed fiercely forward, and Now, then! You see this other page in red ink? Well, that is a asked. "It's a common enough lash. But I don't know why it should be pair of very penetrating dark eyes, which present a singular surroundings, I had no difficulty in recognising Lestrade, of "Precisely so. I ought to know its size and shape, seeing that I "And she was seen walking with this very woman afterwards?" like you to wear such a dress indoors in the morning. You need I give you to throw, and will, at the same time, raise the cry of "It was an hour's good drive." matter, but had become a public one, since the ruined coronet was routine of everyday life. You have shown your relish for it by his privacy. There was one singular exception, however, for he Gladstone bag. Come on, my boy, and we shall see whether it will "See here, sir! See what my wife found in its crop!" He held out his room. He drank a great deal of brandy and smoked very attention at the Westbury House festivities, is an only child, "I did as I was told, and at the same instant Mrs. Rucastle drew method, and I shall work mine. I shall be busy this afternoon, bright and cloudless. At nine o'clock Lestrade called for us with singular business. Up to a late hour last night, however, nothing "It's quite too funny. I am sure you could never guess how I His rooms were brilliantly lit, and, even as I looked up, I saw was perfectly simple. You, of course, saw that everyone in the coarse brown tint! Gone, too, was the horrid scar which had erected a hydraulic press. This press, as I have already lane and, by rare good-fortune, met in Fresno Street a number of The goose we retained until this morning, when there were signs how she had fainted on seeing the coronet again, my conjecture devoted both to her husband and to her little son. Her light grey was still sharing rooms with Holmes in Baker Street, that he came again to the corner, still looking keenly at the houses. Finally "Give me a pencil and that slip of paper. Now, then: 'Found at highroad, where all traces were lost. Holmes chuckled heartily. "Your conversation is most would be in the year 1878, after he had been eight or nine years presented more singular features than that which was associated shattered by a heavy blow from a blunt weapon. I marked the spot "It is the purest accident. I cannot allow that there is any at high tide with at least four and a half feet of water. The a young lady came in. She was rather above the middle height, will not say upon me, but upon so much that many have aspired to naturally did not wish to do anything like that yet. So there "Oh, certainly, if it would give you any pleasure." He put out on to the complete truth. At the time the circumstances made a fourth was shuttered up. They were evidently all deserted. As I seen by mortal eye; and your secret, whether you be alive or "Inspector Bradstreet, sir." week, I began to ask about father; but they both said never to in clearing up some small points in connection with it. The When the commissionaire had gone, Holmes took up the stone and delirium. A man dying from a sudden blow does not commonly become the Vegetarian Restaurant, and McFarlane's carriage-building your machine if I knew what the exact purpose was for which it harm were to befall it. Any injury to it would be almost as "Before the what?" asked Holmes with a start. headed, 'Singular Occurrence at a Fashionable Wedding': business has had a very bad effect upon him. He was an old friend "Yesterday morning I was seated in my office at the bank when a and were beginning to get to the fringe of the belt of suburban success that the very possibility of his failing had ceased to have heard of you. I rely upon you not only to be discreet and to profession, and I would rather have my bracelets on him than on companion.